Christmas Connection has been running since 1996 and was started to support the families that we were helping through our Jubilee debt advice clinics. People who for various reasons are struggling with their finances so we don’t want them to feel under pressure to get into debt again by buying presents for their children at Christmas. These children would not have any presents at Christmas without our help.

From mid-November, we start collecting donations of brand new toys, books and cuddly toys for children aged 0 to 17 years old, which are then packed into age-appropriate parcels with sweets and selection packs as distributed to the families from early December. This year collecting these gifts has been challenging due to many of our usual donators not meeting together.

However, our business communities that were still in the workplace have risen to the challenge and become Christmas heroes for so many children.

Here are some of our fantastic supporters that we are so grateful for!

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Huws Gray, Derby

The team and customers from Huws Gray, Derby raised over £2,000 for Christmas Connection by holding a raffle for donated items. They then spent the money on beautiful toys and clothing for our nominated children, including guitars, footballs, skateboards, craft sets and chocolate.

Thank you for your commitment to this cause Tony & Elaine Evans and Luke Day.

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Rolls Royce, Derby

Gemma Humphrey and her colleagues at Rolls Royce were so kind in promoting Christmas Connection that they were able to beat their own target of £1,000. Gemma set up a Just Giving page to raise money in order for her to buy the gifts. At time of shopping, they had raised a fantastic £1,600! 

Thank you to everyone that contributed and enabled these gifts to be bought!

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Vinci Facilities, Derby

Vinci Facilities were able to create an opportunity for collection boxes placed in their network of customers. This had a fantastic response and they raised over £500 in addition to gifts donated too. We're so thankful to Liza Adnams and colleagues for your support.  

Here are the team delivering the gifts to us at Derby City Mission.

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East Midlands Railway, Derby

Abbie Winters and the fantastic team at East Midland Railway have gone some miles in ensuring all of the team in Derby were aware of the initiative. They were able to donate over 350 beautiful presents as well as a financial gift to our Food Bank service too.

Thank you, East Midlands Railway!

For more information about Christmas Connection, please visit our dedicated webpage here.

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